Listening to the Past, Speaking to the Future

8 Archive Development ProgrammeIn relation to modernisation, audience development and capacity building, theTask Force believes that there is small chance of significant increases in fundinglocally or nationally in the present economic climate. We therefore suggest thatinnovation, action, research and advocacy should be stimulated using whatwe are calling an Archive Development Programme. Bringing in support fromnational agencies in England, and private sector sponsors, this could includebids to government departments and devolved administrations in the homenations for specific projects such as education and learning, social inclusionand volunteering. The Task Force believes that a budget of between £500,000and £1 million a year for three years would have a significant impact on servicedevelopment and capacity. The scope of activities that could be covered bythe proposed Archive Development Programme is described in Chapters 4and 5.Six high-level recommendations with associated actions are presented thatcould be supported by the Archive Development Programme, or by externalfunding where it can be achieved:Recommendation TwoPosition UK archives as key contributors to local, regional and national socialand economic objectives.Recommendation ThreeRelease the potential of archives to enrich and enhance teaching and learningand contribute to raising standards in education.Recommendation FourIncrease community participation in UK archive activities with particularfocus on engaging hard-to-reach communities.Recommendation FiveEncourage business, private and specialist archives to develop as integratedcomponent parts of our national heritage.Recommendation SixEncourage the creation and sustainability of moving image, sound,photographic and digital archives through support for relevant strategies.Recommendation SevenPut in place a programme to modernise service management and improveworkforce development opportunities.